Identify the complete subject of a sentence

key notes:

What is a Complete Subject?

The complete subject of a sentence includes all the words that tell who or what the sentence is about. It includes the simple subject (the main noun or pronoun) and all the words that modify or describe it. Think of it as the ‘who’ or ‘what’ plus any details about them.

Simple Subject vs. Complete Subject

Simple Subject: The main noun or pronoun that the sentence is about. Example: The dog barks. (Simple subject: dog)

Complete Subject: The simple subject plus all the words that describe it. Example: The big, fluffy dog barks. (Complete subject: The big, fluffy dog)

Examples of Complete Subjects

• My best friend Sarah plays soccer.
• The tall oak tree in our backyard provides lots of shade.
• Those shiny red apples look delicious.
• The students in Mrs. Smith’s class are very well-behaved.
• The old, wooden house on the hill needs repairs.

Tips for Finding the Complete Subject

• Ask ‘Who or What?’: Start by asking yourself, ‘Who or what is this sentence about?’ This will help you identify the simple subject.
• Look for Describing Words: Once you’ve found the simple subject, look for any words that describe it, such as adjectives (e.g., big, red, old) or articles (e.g., a, an, the).
• Include Everything Before the Verb: Usually, the complete subject comes before the main verb in the sentence. Include everything before the verb that is part of the ‘who or what’.
• Ignore Prepositional Phrases: Sometimes, a prepositional phrase might come between the subject and the verb. Be careful not to include it in the complete subject. Example: The book on the table is mine. (Complete subject: The book)

Practice Time!

Identify the complete subject in the following sentences:

• The playful kitten chased the yarn.
• My little brother enjoys reading comic books.
• The bright yellow school bus arrived late.
• Several large grey clouds filled the sky.
• The friendly neighbor waved to us.

Summary

Today, we learned about the complete subject of a sentence. Remember that the complete subject includes the simple subject and all the words that describe it. By asking ‘Who or what?’ and looking for describing words, you can easily identify the complete subject in any sentence! Keep practicing, and you’ll become a complete subject expert!

Let’s practice!